FDA Strengthens Warnings on Antibiotic Side Effects

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that a popular class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones can cause severe, potentially permanent damage to muscles, nerves and more.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by the side effects of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

July 26, 2016 – FDA is calling for an updated boxed warning regarding “disabling and potentially permanent side effects of the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system” associated with the following fluoroquinolone antibiotics:

According to the FDA, the risk of side effects from these medications generally outweighs any potential benefits in patients with sinusitis, bronchitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). The drugs should only be used by patients with no other treatment options, the agency said.

The upgraded warnings follow a 2013 study by FDA’s Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology which concluded that “We continue to find an association between fluoroquinolone antibiotic use and disabling peripheral neuropathy.”

The cases evaluated in that study included reports of weakness, numbness, pain, discomfort, burning and tingling in patients treated with fluoroquinolones, including a man who allegedly died after suffering a severe hypersensitivity reaction while using levaquin. Another FDA review found an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and tendon rupture with fluoroquinolones.

The agency in August 2013 issued a Drug Safety Communication which concluded that a variety of seemingly random health problems can occur in patients taking the medications. It then convened a safety panel which recommended that the FDA issue stronger warnings on the drugs.

Do I Have a Fluoroquinolone Lawsuit?

The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in antibiotic side effects lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you had nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or aortic aneurism after taking an antibiotic, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.